Thursday, June 30, 2011

Vol State Fire Science Director helps bring the National 9/11 flag to Nashville

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave. O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

These lines close the second verse of the national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”What does the American flag represent?For some it stirs up patriotism and pride while others are overcome with sentimentalism and sorrow due to the loss of a loved one.Ultimately, very few people are ambivalent when it comes to our nation’s flag.This is true for Travis Ford who is the director of the Vol State Fire Science program.Ford has been involved with the program for many years while still working full-time for the Nashville Fire Department at Station Number Nine.(The twentieth busiest station in the country).

“This profession is very rewarding and fulfilling when you get the opportunity to save someone’s life,” said Ford.“We have had way over a hundred graduates from the program and continue to see great things from those completing the course.”

While watching the national news, Ford noted that the tattered American flag that was pulled from the wreckage of the Twin Towers was passing through all fifty states. He immediately got on the phone calling some of his buddies at the New York Fire Department to see how Nashville could get involved.He requested a July 4 ceremony but someone beat him to the punch.However, he was thrilled to settle for a July 2 ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Nashville.The ceremony will be at 11:00 am, followed by a stitching opportunity which is open to the public until 2:00 pm.

“This flag is twenty feet by thirty feet, it’s huge!It was taken down after it was torn to pieces at the World Trade Center. It has been in storage for 7 years,” Ford said. “They are trying to finish stitching it back together with contributors from all fifty states before the ten year anniversary this November.Fortunately, Nashville was chosen as the only stopping point in the state of Tennessee.They say they are rebuilding America one stitch at a time.I would love to see Vol State get involved because after all, we are the Volunteer State, and we should contribute."

If you are interested in learning more about the National 9/11 flag check out the following link. For more information on Vol State Fire Science program please visit the website.